The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a lumbar disorder, but additional medical examination is needed to clarify the etiology of any current low back disability. The issue of an increased rating for residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at T7-8 with neuralgia remains inextricably intertwined with the newly raised issue of service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the lower thoracic spine.
The deciding factor: The claim is complicated by multiple back diagnoses and the need to clarify the etiology of any current lumbar disability, including whether it is related to service or to his service-connected residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at T7-8 with neuralgia.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at T7-8 with neuralgia, lumbar disorder (myofascial pain syndrome, chronic osteoporosis spondylolisthesis, and ankylosing spondylitis of the lumbar spine)
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 9, 2013
- Citation
- 1311739
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1311739.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim of entitlement to an extraschedular rating prior to January 26, 2005, for residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at T7-8 with neuralgia due to failure to show that the applicable statutory and regulatory provisions were incorrectly applied.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's residuals of a herniated nucleus pulposus at T7-8 with neuralgia from January 26, 2005.
- Denied
The Board denied an extraschedular rating in excess of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracic spine disability are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with proper VCAA notice.
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